Democrats Give Lieberman Cool Reception as Senate Returns

By CARL HULSE

Published: September 10, 2008

As Senator Joseph I. Lieberman stepped tentatively onto the Senate floor on Monday night to record his first vote since casting his lot with Senator John McCain at the Republican National Convention, he was quickly encircled by his Republican friends, with Senator Susan Collins providing a reassuring hug.

''I told him I would shield him,'' said Ms. Collins, a Maine Republican, referring to potential brickbats raining down from the Democratic side of the aisle, the side where Mr. Lieberman spent a Senate career that elevated him to prominence as a leading national Democratic figure.

While Republicans swarmed him, Democrats all but ignored the man they embraced as their own vice-presidential contender just eight years ago and happily welcomed back into their fold when he was re-elected as an independent in 2006 after losing a party primary in Connecticut.

Some, though, shot dark looks in Mr. Lieberman's direction, furious at what they saw as his betrayal in not just building up Mr. McCain at the convention, but also tearing down Senator Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee. Several said they were perplexed and distressed by his actions.

''He was on the wrong side of the rope line,'' Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, Democrat of New Jersey, said about Mr. Lieberman's high-visibility convention pitch for Mr. McCain. ''It is a decision that is hard to comprehend.''

Mr. Lieberman acknowledged that some colleagues were displeased with him. But he said he felt compelled to speak out on behalf of Mr. McCain, his close friend, no matter the political consequences.

''I am doing something unconventional,'' Mr. Lieberman said Tuesday in an interview. ''At a very partisan political time, I am supporting the candidate of the other party. I know that to varying degrees, that does not make my Democratic colleagues happy.''

The immediate consequences remain uncertain, with Democrats reluctant to take any action that, because of their 51-to-49 majority, could flip control of the Senate to Republicans for the final few weeks of the session. What is clear is that Mr. Lieberman has exhausted the good will of many Senate Democrats and that his standing as chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is in serious jeopardy if Democrats, as expected, increase their Senate numbers on Election Day.

''Everybody is just profoundly disappointed with what Joe did,'' said Senator Byron L. Dorgan, Democrat of North Dakota.

Mr. Lieberman skipped Tuesday's weekly luncheon of Senate Democrats and is not expected to return until after the election -- although both the party leadership and Mr. Lieberman took pains to declare that it was his decision to stay away.

''Joe Lieberman has been invited to everything we have done,'' said Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the majority leader.

Mr. Lieberman said that given the delicacy of the moment and the focus of both parties on politics in the waning days of this session of Congress, he had decided it was better to be neither seen nor heard at the luncheon.

''I just made a judgment coming back on my own that for this three-week period, with the feelings so strong about the campaign, that it was best for me and the caucus that I don't go,'' he said.

The potential awkwardness was on display Monday night as the Senate reconvened and took a procedural vote, the first since the Republican convention was gaveled to a close last Thursday.

Mr. Lieberman entered on the Republican side of the chamber and cast his vote at the Republican desk, stepping away to get handshakes from Republican leaders and a reassuring arm across the shoulder from Senator Richard C. Shelby of Alabama, who made his own break from the Democratic Party more than a decade ago. He had almost no interaction with Senate Democrats.

Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona, the No. 2 Republican, said Mr. Lieberman had joked that it was ''kind of nice'' on the Republican side, and Mr. Kyl commended Mr. Lieberman for his backing of Mr. McCain.

''He is putting principle above politics, which is very courageous,'' Mr. Kyl said. ''That is exactly what John McCain is talking about.''

Democrats were forewarned that Mr. Lieberman would be speaking at the convention, but the sight of its actually occurring -- along with Mr. Lieberman's joining Mr. McCain on an arena walk-through before his acceptance speech Thursday night -- seemed to ratchet up the unrest.

Democrats took especially strong exception to Mr. Lieberman's convention declaration that Mr. Obama's ''eloquence is no substitute for a record -- not in these tough times.'' Mr. Lieberman added, ''In the Senate, he has not reached across party lines to get anything significant done, nor has he been willing to take on powerful interest groups in the Democratic Party.'' Those criticisms were viewed as crossing a line.

''I didn't think that was necessary,'' said Senator Christopher J. Dodd, Democrat of Connecticut, usually an ally of his home-state colleague. ''I was disappointed by that. I wish he had been in Denver.''

Mr. Lieberman, who also had a convention discussion with the vice-presidential nominee, Gov. Sarah Palin, on national security, said he viewed his direct remarks about Mr. Obama as ''quite respectful.''

''There was a point where I felt it was reasonable and almost required that I explain respectfully why I was not supporting Obama,'' Mr. Lieberman said. ''I don't think he has a record of bipartisanship or of taking people on in his own party.''

Although he said his colleagues has been polite and professional, Mr. Lieberman said he was aware that he could be punished next year for his advocacy of Mr. McCain. He said he was willing to accept the risk.

''I am at peace with myself on this,'' said Mr. Lieberman, who said he had no intention of changing his party affiliation this year. ''I am not going to stop myself from supporting my friend John McCain, who I am convinced is exactly the person we need now as president, because I am worried about the consequences.''

In addition to drawing Democratic ire, Mr. Lieberman has also experienced some staff departures, notably the resignation this week of his top legislative assistant. But a spokesman for the office said the departure, set for the end of September, was not related to Mr. Lieberman's advocacy on behalf of Mr. McCain.

Although he has created political resentment among Democrats, Mr. Lieberman still has strong personal ties with colleagues. ''It is hard not to like Joe Lieberman,'' said Senator Tom Harkin, Democrat of Iowa. ''I guess I would just say, Say it ain't so, Joe.''

PHOTOS: Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, a Democrat turned independent, leaving the stage after giving a speech last week at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul.(PHOTOGRAPH BY DAMON WINTER/THE NEW YORK TIMES); Mr. Lieberman's committee chairmanship could be in jeopardy.(PHOTOGRAPH BY DOUG MILLS/THE NEW YORK TIMES)